Tent recommendations for California North Coast (camping, trip, best, old)
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My husband and I are planning a tent camping trip (weekend) with our 2 year old son in Gualala (Gualala Point Regional Park) this August. We are trying to figure out the best tent for our needs and the climate there. Ideally we would like a tent that is fairly versatile, in that we can use it comfortably in the chilly and windy conditions that prevail on the North Coast, as well as in more temperate conditions further inland (e.g. Sierra foothills in the summer). We will be doing car camping mostly in Northern California, especially in Sonoma County where we live. We don't want to spend a fortune, but are willing to pay a bit more for a better tent.
3-4 person tent sounds like. 4 person for more room and since you are car-camping no issue with weight. REI and Kelty makes fairly good, middle of the road tents that perform reasonably well under wet and windy conditions. Look at REI's webiste and you will find a host of tents- Acadia, Salida, Half Dome etc.. All for $250-ish and under.
I'd look at something like the REI Half Dome or Quarter Dome.
i.e. maximize mesh and a decent rain fly. You know how hot the Sierra foothills get in the summer! I've got a 2 person REI Half Dome that was very nice in August in Yosemite (with a pregnant wife). I also used in on Clear Lake in February.
I'd say any tent with fiberglass poles and not aluminum ones. They are easier to set up, especially in the dark.
With a small child, a cabin tent might be ideal. Some have a 'wall' you can hang to divide the tent. Your child can have their own side, with toys and all.
Thanks for all the advice! We did some more research and decided on the Eureka Sunrise 11 5-6 person tent. It seemed to be the closest thing to fit our needs. It has a nice design and comes with built-in organizers for stuff inside the tent. It's also roomy without being overly huge, which is definitely a plus.
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